Alta HR wont pair on pixel 3a

[mcbain_83]

Hi there, I know there might be other threads about this issue..

I've followed Alta HR the troubleshooting steps regarding turning off bluetooth / restarting the fitbit and phone reinstalling the app etc...
The behavior is still the same. When I set up the device it can find it and then I enter the 4 digit pin then it will time out and say try again.

Fit bit Alta HR pixel 3a Android version 11 downloaded latest fitbit app from google play store,

[Odyssey13 · Accepted solution]

Hi @mcbain_83  your phone isn't on the list - you have a 3a.

here is something a moderator posted about phones being compatible:

"Please note that your phone or tablet is not on our list of compatible devices. We confirmed that the devices on this list are fully compatible with all features of Fitbit devices and the Fitbit app. While a phone or tablet may not be verified as fully compatible, the Fitbit app may still work with your device. 

We routinely test new devices to ensure full compatibility with Fitbit devices and the Fitbit app, and are constantly working to confirm compatibility with new phone models. Be sure to verify that your phone or tablet meets the minimum operating system requirements.

If your phone supports Bluetooth 4.0, we provide assistance and troubleshooting steps. Because your phone or tablet is not fully compatible with Fitbit devices, we can't guarantee syncing and other Fitbit features. "

[JodyBarn]

So I have a Pixel 3A and it has been compatible with every other program, app and bluetooth device that I have ever used. 

AND it worked just fine with Fitbit until Google updated the phone with Android 11... from Android 10.  This just happened in the past week. All of the other Google Pixel phones are listed. Updated with the same Android operating system as the other phones. So while I would admit there is a 1% chance its the phone I would think that it is a compatibility problem between Fitbit and the HR and Android 11.  I've read too many complaints in the support forums about other phones and other fitbit devices after the upgrade to Android 11. 

[bplvdm]

Same here. Alta HR, Pixel 3a, worked fine, borked now.

Ridiculous, especially seeing that GOOGLE OWNS FITBIT now.

[FeenX888]

Same here been using my fitbit alta hr for years with my pixel 2 and now cant connect anymore. I did all the procedures and none have worked. Using Android 11. 

[Yvy1]

I've the same issue, have my Alta HR for 2yr or so as well as my Pixel3 (Android 11), worked just fine until a week ago before Android update. Followed all the troubleshooting incl. removing the device from the account and now I cannot reconnect. Get the 4 digit code and then it fails after a few seconds! Very annoying.

Can Fitbit please fix this!? 

[ZHassam]

Same here has anyone had a response? 

[gbug96]

same I was fine until probably sunday but didn't realize until mon. i've restarted, reinstalled app, turned bluetooth off. this morning decided to delate my HR from the app and now i can't get it back on. need assistance.

[mcbain_83]

So, from scanning the forums it seems that this is an Android 11 upgrade issue. It may not just effect the Pixel devices but probably more.

I selected this response as the best one. There are many phones that FitBit officially Support devices https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/technology/compatible-devices 
and.. many they do not... Probably from a practical perspective.. There are _so_ many Android devices from so many manufactures running many different OS versions etc they can't guarantee compatibility across all Android devices... Thats how I've read the answer to this.

so TO FIX THIS ISSUE the most realistic thing to do..

1. Stop attempting to repair your device to the Pixel or whatever Android phone you have.

2. hope you have another compatible device. (laptop, iPad , another Android device , desktop, macbook)

3. set it up on that device with the FitBit software

4. sync it via that OTHER device. if you have the fitbit app on the phone it stopped working on the data will sync over.

(if you don't have another device soz, you gotta wait till someone from Google Android Team or FitBit fix it.)

Yes this is a pain but a) you will get your data to sync to your account so you can have all the fitbit features and b) you don't waste your time trying to fix this...do something else!

If your phone has an OS update I would try again... if you get the same results then stop again and stick with the other device sync
until your phone has another software update.. try it again.. if its the same stop... don't waste your time. I hope that it does get fixed but.. not much you can do at this point.

[MrThurtle]

What a lot of hogwash. The best answer is not an answer at all if you own a Pixel 3a/alta HR. BUT Based on other posts I think I found a pretty simple solution. Don't know why it works but so far so good. My wife's Alta HR/pixel 3a quit syncing along with the upgrade to Android 11. We tried all of the recommended solutions., Even deleted the device off her account, then couldn't get it back on...lol. Today our daughter showed up with her Apple phone. We installed the app on her phone. Logged in with my wife's account, added the Alta HR device and everything synced just fine. Logged out on the Apple phone. Logged in with the Pixel 3a and boom... The device was automatically added to the app and everything from that point on appears to be syncing. She lost a few days off data but far better than having to replace either the phone or the Fitbit.

[bjkhubujblbi]

C'mon, Fitbit. Having to use the Alta HR on ANOTHER device is NOT a solution.

Have a Pixel 3 and Alta HR here, too. Stopped syncing reliably with Android 11. Tried rebooting phone, 3 button press on Alta charger, disable/enable bluetooth, uninstall/reinstall Fitbit app.

Fix your product.

Moderator edit: word choice

[mcbain_83]

Hi there, to be clear.. this is not a FitBit solution. There _is_ no solution from FitBit to fix this.. its essentially "tough luck".. 

What I wrote is _my_ realistic interpretation of how you can use your fitbit without praying for fitbit or google to fix this problem. thoughts and Prayers wont work. You want to sync your fitbit and you're effected by this bug. Don't pray, send them feed back and wait for something to change.. until then were outtaluck

I 100% agree that its not right and I would prefer someone looked into it and fixed it as I paid for multiple fitbits over the years. But are we a really big enough cohort of Android 11 users that FitBit will take notice.. I hope so.. I bet it's really just iWhatevers they really care about because they get the most ching ching from them

[mcbain_83]

Your solution is also relying on having another device.. your instructions wont work for everyone.. thats the nature of software and hardware.. different versions different hardware specifications.. It great you took to the time to post your fix because it _may_ work for others.

To be clear I want fitbit and or google to fix this, I'm just attempting to give people realistic helpful information so they can still use their fitbits

[mcbain_83]

Agreed 100%

[Starshopper1]

Big thank you for sharing your advice . I've successfully synced my Alta to my Pixel 3A. God knows if it will continue to be ok but beats being fobbed off by Fitbit 'support'. Had to go via husband iPad after a failed attempt on daughters Windows PC. Fitbit support told me my phone was not on their compatible list despite many users on the forum on own different trackers and have the Android 11 update issue.

[mcbain_83]

Glad you got it working! (also thanks to people posting their solutions too)
Hope we get a proper fix soon.

[mamahayes]

How is this the "best answer", that my device is not compatible.  Is has been for years up until last week?  Come on fitbit, really?

[Tamisue]

Grrr....not happy happy about the Pixel 3A problem.   As everyone else stated, mine worked fine until the android update.  However, I was able to download the app to my Kindle Fire and sync the Alta HR that way.  Not buying anymore Fitbit trackers for sure.

[Smarcia]

Same. Google Pixel 3 and Alta HR. Worked fine up until the last sync on September 18. I contacted fitbit and  followed all the troubleshooting steps. No fix. They end up offering me a 35% discount on a new tracker. ...I don't need a new tracker. This is driving me crazy.

[bjkhubujblbi]

It's a good way for Fitbit to make money. Every few years, make a whole product line obsolete through software and force people to buy new models.